Chapter 25: Secrets

Sylvia asked, "You're not even trying to deny it?"

Sienna replied, "Unlike you, I don't like wasting my time on useless things. We both know that you won't believe me no matter what I say."

Sylvia knew that Sienna was completely leading their conversation, and she needed to do something. She said, "What if I were to tell the Federation that the Shelby bloodline still lives on?"

Sienna didn't stop smiling and said, "You'd be dead before the call connects. That assistant of yours will follow you."

Sylvia said, "You wouldn't dare. I'm—"

Sienna interrupted her, "Inconsequential. Whether it is your life or death, it would be inconsequential. Do you think that they don't know about Lucas?"

Sylvia was shocked. If the Federation knew, then why hadn't it taken action?

Sienna continued, "You must be wondering why they haven't done anything when the Shelbys are at their weakest. It's simple. The same reason that they didn't take action before. The same reason they haven't openly declared war against us. They don't dare to. They do not want to poke a sleeping bear. They know the consequences of openly touching a Shelby. Especially an heir. No, the only heir."

Sylvia was even more confused. She said, "But you can't do anything. Not when the only heir hasn't awakened yet. The curse of the Crimson Archis only works—"

Sienna once again interrupted her and asked, "You don't know?"

Sylvia asked, "Know what?"

This time, Sienna was shocked. She asked, "Aren't you a Lancaster? I mean, don't you belong to the main family?"

Sylvia replied, "I do."

Sienna said, "Then you of all people should know, considering our relations with the Lancasters."

Sylvia asked, "What relations?"

Sienna replied, "How the Lancasters have been begging us for a downgraded version of the Crimson Curse to study."

This was the first time Sylvia was hearing of this. Sienna said, "Well, then I should tell you since you have done a great job with my son and the Academy. As the Lady of House Shelby and the mother of the sole heir, I hold the same authority as the Head, in the unfortunate circumstance of his death or prolonged absence until an heir with the Shelby bloodline awakens. 

The Crimson Curse will work as long as the Shelby bloodline, or the spouse of the Head, survives. I thought you knew this. You think that the first Lady of House Shelby was an idiot? She was not only the Star Forging Archon's wife, but also his most trusted advisor. She knew if she didn't add this, our enemies could just assassinate all those who carried the Shelby blood. If the Federation even tries to lay a finger on Lucas, we will bare our fangs."

Sylvia said, "Then what about the Howl of the Lykaios Archis? How do you have that Valexis Art? Only the direct descendants of the Stryker bloodline should have that."

"When the Lykaios Archis disappeared, the Strykers were in a dangerous position. We helped them. We provided them with protection and got the Valexis Art in exchange. They figured that nobody could make use of it without their Innate Talent, so… Who would have thought that I would end up returning it to its rightful owner? It's very unfortunate, what happened to them. Tell me, how is Derek related to him?"

Sylvia said, "Derek is his grandnephew."

Sienna sighed and said, "That's the difference between them and us. Unlike House Stryker, House Shelby has always been united against all threats."

Sylvia asked, "You'll really give it to him, just like that? Even if it's not that great for people with that Innate Talent, it's a Valexis Art created by an Archis. I'm sure you could sell it for a lot."

Sienna said, "Do I look like I'm lacking anything?"

Sylvia really wanted to say 'Your husband's,' but she had a feeling that she wouldn't make it out of the building alive if she did. If what she said about the Crimson Curse was true, then even the Lancasters wouldn't try to avenge her. Not when the result would be an economic execution. Sylvia controlled her intrusive thoughts and said, "So what now?"

Sienna said, "Nothing. Things will go on as they have been, with the exception of Noah getting the same privileges the Student Council does."

Sylvia said, "You know I can't do that. I've built something here. The kids in the Academy are very smart. I can't just ruin it by giving special privileges to one child. The most I can do is leave him to you for the weekends."

Sienna replied, "That's all I want. Oh, and the kids might be taking a break from the Academy once this year ends."

Sylvia shook slightly as she said, "You mean…?"

Sienna said, "Yes. I will be training them personally. The Zaldrīzes Arts that I'm going to be teaching them need my help daily."

Sylvia knew that Sienna was strong. Much stronger than her. What Zaldrīzes Art would need a person of her stature to personally assist in its training?

Sylvia knew that she might not get an answer, but she still asked, "What Zaldrīzes Arts are you going to be teaching them?"

Sienna said, "The Star Forging Archon was a collector of the various Arts. When House Shelby had amassed incredible wealth, he stopped accepting money or other resources for deals that he personally took care of. He took the Arts instead. His descendants inherited that hobby. That is why we have one of the most extensive collections in the entire Federation. One might even say that we are second only to Balerion's Lair when it comes to this."

Sylvia gasped as she heard the words 'Balerion's Lair.'

Sienna chuckled and said, "Relax, would you? I didn't use his True Name. And even if I did, we have a very good relationship with them. One of my grandfather-in-law's beasts belonged to the Lair. My mother-in-law personally met Balerion when she was a child. He even gave her one of his scales."

Sylvia was a bit overloaded and had a bit of trouble processing these consecutive shocking pieces of information. She was silent for a minute or two, trying her best to calm down.

She asked, "Then why did the Shelbys reach their current state despite their connections? Why was the entire bloodline, except for a single child, wiped out? No, I'm asking the wrong question. 'How' should be the right question."

Sienna didn't reply but just smiled in response.

Seeing her like this, Sylvia had a horrifying realization. She said, "Charles Shelby isn't dead?"